Sally Hawkins brings her natural inner beauty and sensitive charms to this role as a mute cleaning lady. She and Octavia Spencer (who adds her brand of spunk) work at a high security government facility. When she discovers an amphibious man-like creature, her curiosity and longing for love disrupt the lab and set the narrative in motion. Obviously, this is science fiction, but more importantly, it’s a romantic fantasy. Even though it’s based in ’60s Baltimore, the slightly surreal style and bigger-than-life imagery lend it a wondrously eccentric edge. This makes sense, considering it comes from the highly creative mind of writer/director Guillermo del Toro. His masterful style and the elevated emotions make the film a slightly bizarre, sometimes melodramatic, yet still sweetly human encounter. (Criterion Cinemas only)
(4 / 5)